August 1, 2006 Source: :
http://www.media.uottawa.ca/mediaroom/news_details-e.php?nid=934 Six young Canadians receive the University of Ottawa President’s Scholarship The University of Ottawa is proud to award its prestigious President’s Scholarship to six first-year students. Created in 1997, the President’s Scholarship is the most prestigious award a new University of Ottawa student can receive. It recognizes both academic excellence and commitment to the community. To be eligible, candidates must write a short essay on what bilingualism and multiculturalism means to them. The President’s Scholarship has a value of $30,000 (i.e. $7,500 per year). Here’s a quick look at this year’s six winners: Mohamed Redouane Benchaouche: Ottawa, Ontario – Management Mohamed is no stranger to success. A graduate of the École secondaire publique Louis-Riel, he has been awarded L’Express Étudiant’s Grand Prix de la Plume and the Governor General’s Academic Medal. In 2005, he received his school’s Artist of the Year in Journalism Award for his contribution to student newspapers, Le Rebelle and L’Express Étudiant. He also sat on the Art and Media Design Committee for the 2006 Spectacle Multi-Mode. He took part in Algonquin College’s Olympics program in 2005, and counts soccer, cycling and badminton among his favourite pastimes. A skilled photographer and chess wizard, this budding graphic designer has exceptional management qualities. Valérie Duchesneau: Brossard, Quebec – Science A graduate of Champlain St-Lambert Regional College, Valérie has been admitted to the Faculty of Science’s environmental science program. A concerned and informed citizen, she campaigned for her party’s candidate in the last federal election, and worked on the "Yes" campaign to deamalgamate the City of Brossard. She was also a member of her school choir, theatre company and recycling committee. A member of Amnesty International and a tutor for students with learning problems, Valérie genuinely cares about her fellow citizens and her community. Renaud Garner: Niagara Falls, Ontario – Arts A graduate of the École secondaire Jean-Vanier, Renaud will begin his university career in political science and philosophy. In 2005, Renaud received a Governor General’s Award and a Lieutenant Governor’s Award. He has also received an Academic Merit Award and a French Excellence Award from Sudbury’s Collège Boréal, and achieved distinction in history and geography. He has taken part in Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne activities and served as an elected student council representative. Highly articulate and with a flair for the performing arts, Renaud won the Royal Canadian Legion’s 2006 Public Speaking Contest. Katherine Kenny: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – Social Sciences Katherine Kenny is always seeking new challenges. She strives for excellence in everything she does, whether as a member of her school band or debating club, editor of its yearbook, or justice minister in the Canadian Youth Parliament. True to her Francophone roots, Katherine took part in the 2002 Jeux de l’Acadie and the 2005 Jeux de la Francophonie. She has received the 2004-2005 Lieutenant Governor’s Award, the Academic Performance Award for the highest Grade 11 average, and the French Excellence Award. This exceptional student has also served as acting executive vice-president and executive vice-president of communications for the Conseil jeunesse provincial de la Nouvelle-Écosse. Katherine excels in public speaking, writing and mathematics. A graduate of the École du Carrefour, she will study political science and history in the Faculty of Social Sciences. François Man Huy Nguyen: Ottawa, Ontario – Health Sciences A graduate from Glebe Collegiate Institute, François has been admitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences. Harboring a love for science, engineering, politics and languages, his extra-curricular activities were numerous, including student council club representative and fundraiser, head of the chess club and the classics club, member of the robotics club and of his school Web club. François also tutors classmates, volunteers at The Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus), practices tae kwon do and shoots photos for the yearbook. Finalist in the National Biology Competition, his thirst for knowledge has rewarded him with awards as top student in Grade 11 (2004 2005) and recognition in many other competitions including the Fermat Math Contest. Fluent in Cantonese, Vietnamese, English and French, he is a living example of multiculturalism. Matthew Winston Tessier: Winnipeg, Manitoba – Engineering St. John’s Ravencourt School’s most recognized student will begin his mechanical engineering program at uOttawa this September. An all-around prodigy, Matthew has brains, talent, social skills and athleticism. As a multiple St. John’s Ravencourt award winner and a Wick Sellers Family Scholarship (2005-2006) recipient, his academic success shows no trace of idleness. He reaps what he sows; since 2002, he has appeared annually on the Governor’s Honour Roll. In the past year, he was part of the Manitoba Band Association’s provincial Senior Honour Band and received a Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 piano diploma. Matthew won the Canadian Parents for French’s public speaking competition two years in a row. A fan of performing arts, Matthew acts and plays both piano and bass clarinet. A hockey player and soccer referee tutor and mentor, his altruism is evident and he is known among his peers as a team player who will never leave you hanging.
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